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Abstract Purpose To evaluate the difference in the diagnostic efficacy of 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT and pelvic MRI in primary prostate cancer, as well as the correlation between the two methods and histopathological parameters and serum PSA levels. Methods A total of 41 patients with suspected prostate cancer who underwent 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT imaging in our department from 2018 to 2023 were retrospectively collected. All patients underwent 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT and MRI scans. The sensitivity, PPV and diagnostic accuracy of MRI and 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT in the diagnosis of prostate cancer were calculated after comparing the results of MRI and 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT with biopsy. The Spearman test was used to calculate the correlation between 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT, MRI parameters, histopathological indicators, and serum PSA levels. Results Compared with histopathological results, the sensitivity, PPV and diagnostic accuracy of 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT in the diagnosis of prostate cancer were 95.1%, 100.0% and 95.1%, respectively. The sensitivity, PPV and diagnostic accuracy of MRI in the diagnosis of prostate cancer were 82.9%, 100.0% and 82.9%, respectively. There was a mild to moderately positive correlation between Gleason (Gs) score, Ki-67 index, serum PSA level and 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT parameters (p 0.05). Conclusion Compared with MRI, 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT has higher sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy in the detection of malignant prostate tumors. In addition, the Ki-67 index and AMACR (P504S) expression were only correlated with 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT parameters. Gs score and serum PSA level were correlated with 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT and MRI parameters. 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT examination can provide certain reference values for the clinical diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of malignant prostate tumors.

In this study, a comprehensive analysis is presented on the complete mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic relationships of Devario shanensis, an endemic species to the Irrawaddy drainage in southwestern China. The complete mitogenome sequence of D. shanensis was sequenced to be 16,860 bp long and encompassed 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes and a non-coding control region. The overall AT content (61.1%) was much higher than GC content (38.9%). Phylogenetic analyses employing maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference methods on the complete mitogenomes, including D. shanensis and 13 other species, unveiled a close genomic relationship between D. shanensis and Devario interruptus. This work will contribute to the genetic resource enrichment and phylogenetic researches on genus Devario.

Highlights Mo–MXene/Mo–metal sulfides with semiconductor junctions and Mott–Schottky junctions are designed. Built-in electric field are constructed in semiconductor–semiconductor–metal heterostructure, enhancing dielectric polarization and impedance matching. Density functional theory calculations and Radar cross-section simulations confirmed the excellent electromagnetic wave absorption ability of heterostructures.

Effective treatment of plant biomass with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) is crucial for phytoremediation. Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) offers an economical and eco-friendly solution by converting biomass into high-value hydrochar. However, the effects of reaction temperature and medium on the characteristics and metals distribution in hydrochars from PTEs-containing biomass remain unclear. This study explores the effects of different hydrothermal temperature (180–240 °C) and reaction media (H2O, HCl, H2SO4, H3PO4) on the hydrothermal properties of willow biomass containing PTEs, and the distribution and transfer rules of PTEs (Cd and Zn) and the application potential of hydrochar. The results indicated that hydrothermal temperature and acid medium significantly influenced WB conversion, affecting hydrochar properties such as carbonization degree and surface functional groups. Higher hydrothermal temperatures enhanced Cd and Zn fixation in the solid phase, while acid facilitated their migration to the liquid phase. More than 91.08 % of Cd and 88.41 % of Zn in the acid-added system are migrated into the liquid phase at hydrothermal temperature of 180 °C Hydrochar prepared under 180 °C and H3PO4 exhibited excellent adsorption performance for Cd2+ and Cu2+ (2.17 mg/g and 34.38 mg/g, respectively) in aqueous solution. Additionally, hydrochars exhibit high calorific values (20.52–28.01 MJ/kg), suggesting their potential as biofuel. This study provides technical foundation to support the resource processing and safe utilization of forest biomass containing PTEs.

Oxytocin (OT) is a posterior pituitary hormone that, in addition to its role in regulating childbirth and lactation, also exerts direct regulatory effects on the skeleton through peripheral OT and oxytocin receptor (OTR). Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), osteoblasts (OB), osteoclasts (OC), chondrocytes, and adipocytes all express OT and OTR. OT upregulates RUNX2, BMP2, ALP, and OCN, thereby enhancing the activity of BMSCs and promoting their differentiation towards OB rather than adipocytes. OT also directly regulates OPG/RANKL to inhibit adipocyte generation, increase the expression of SOX9 and COMP, and enhance chondrocyte differentiation. OB can secrete OT, exerting influence on the surrounding environment through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms. OT directly increases OC formation through the NκB/MAP kinase signaling pathway, inhibits osteoclast proliferation by triggering cytoplasmic Ca2+ release and nitric oxide synthesis, and has a dual regulatory effect on OCs. Under the stimulation of estrogen, OB synthesizes OT, amplifying the biological effects of estrogen and OT. Mediated by estrogen, the OT/OTR forms a feedforward loop with OB. Apart from estrogen, OT also interacts with arginine vasopressin (AVP), prostaglandins (PGE2), leptin, and adiponectin to regulate bone metabolism. This review summarizes recent research on the regulation of bone metabolism by OT and OTR, aiming to provide insights into their clinical applications and further research.

Microsatellite DNA (SSR) is extensively used as molecular markers in diverse fields, including molecular ecology, conservation biology, and molecular breeding. Nevertheless, the efficient and easy acquisition of high-quality SSR molecular markers for economically cultured marine animals remains a challenge. Holothuria leucospilota is an economically and ecologically important tropical sea cucumber. Recently, artificial breeding and cultivation of this species have been reported. However, there is still a lack of highly polymorphic SSR molecular markers for geographical population differentiation and genetic breeding. This study aims to develop and utilize SSR markers from genomic data to assess the genetic variation and population structure of H. leucospilota in the South China Sea. A comprehensive pipeline was created, integrating microsatellite discovery, primer design, and assessment into a single platform. Through this, 15 highly polymorphic microsatellite loci were identified and validated. The results revealed high genetic diversity and low genetic differentiation among H. leucospilota populations. Larval dispersal and ocean currents in the South China Sea were identified as the primary factors influencing genetic connectivity between populations. In addition, the artificial culture and releasing of H. leucospilota have influenced the genetic structure of their wild populations in the South China Sea. This study provides a pipeline for identifying SSR markers within genome data, and applies it to assess the genetic diversity and structure of H. leucospilota. The outcomes of this research are expected to be beneficial and applicable to the future aquaculture of tropical sea cucumbers.

ABSTRACT Objective: Tibial plateau fractures are common intra-articular fractures that pose classification and treatment challenges for orthopedic surgeons. Objective: This study examines the value of 3D printing for classifying and planning surgery for complex tibial plateau fractures. Methods: We reviewed 54 complex tibial plateau fractures treated at our hospital from January 2017 to January 2019. Patients underwent preoperative spiral CT scans, with DICOM data processed using Mimics software. 3D printing technology created accurate 1:1 scale models of the fractures. These models helped subdivide the fractures into seven types based on the tibial plateau's geometric planes. Surgical approaches and simulated operations, including fracture reduction and plate placement, were planned using these models. Results: The 3D models accurately depicted the direction and extent of fracture displacement and plateau collapse. They facilitated the preoperative planning, allowing for precise reconstruction strategies and matching intraoperative details with the pre-printed models. Post-surgery, the anatomical structure of the tibial plateau was significantly improved in all 54 cases. Conclusion: 3D printing effectively aids in the classification and preoperative planning of complex tibial plateau fractures, enhancing surgical outcomes and anatomical restoration. Level of Evidence IV, Prospective Study.

Introduction: Osteochondral repair poses a significant challenge due to its unique pathological mechanisms and complex repair processes, particularly in bacterial tissue conditions resulting from open injuries, infections, and surgical contamination. This study introduces a biomimetic honeycomb-like scaffold (Zn-AlgMA@Mg) designed for osteochondral repair. The scaffold consists of a dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD)-coated porous magnesium scaffold (DCPD Mg) embedded within a dual crosslinked sodium alginate hydrogel (Zn-AlgMA). This combination aims to synergistically exert antibacterial and osteochondral integrated repair properties.Methods: The Zn-AlgMA@Mg scaffold was fabricated by coating porous magnesium scaffolds with DCPD and embedding them within a dual crosslinked sodium alginate hydrogel. The structural and mechanical properties of the DCPD Mg scaffold were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mechanical testing. The microstructural features and hydrophilicity of Zn-AlgMA were assessed. In vitro studies were conducted to evaluate the controlled release of magnesium and zinc ions, as well as the scaffold’s osteogenic, chondrogenic, and antibacterial properties. Proteomic analysis was performed to elucidate the mechanism of osteochondral integrated repair. In vivo efficacy was evaluated using a rabbit full-thickness osteochondral defect model, with micro-CT evaluation, quantitative analysis, and histological staining (hematoxylin-eosin, Safranin-O, and Masson’s trichrome).Results: The DCPD Mg scaffold exhibited a uniform porous structure and superior mechanical properties. The Zn-AlgMA hydrogel displayed consistent microstructural features and enhanced hydrophilicity. The Zn-AlgMA@Mg scaffold provided controlled release of magnesium and zinc ions, promoting cell proliferation and vitality. In vitro studies demonstrated significant osteogenic and chondrogenic properties, as well as antibacterial efficacy. Proteomic analysis revealed the underlying mechanism of osteochondral integrated repair facilitated by the scaffold. Micro-CT evaluation and histological analysis confirmed successful osteochondral integration in the rabbit model.Discussion: The biomimetic honeycomb-like scaffold (Zn-AlgMA@Mg) demonstrated promising results for osteochondral repair, effectively addressing the challenges posed by bacterial tissue conditions. The scaffold’s ability to release magnesium and zinc ions in a controlled manner contributed to its significant osteogenic, chondrogenic, and antibacterial properties. Proteomic analysis provided insights into the scaffold’s mechanism of action, supporting its potential for integrated osteochondral regeneration. The successful in vivo results highlight the scaffold’s efficacy, making it a promising biomaterial for future applications in osteochondral repair.

Polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) have been reported to accumulate in the testes and constitute a new threat to reproductive health. However, the exact effects of PS-NPs exposure on testicular cells and the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. The C57BL/6 male mice were orally administered with PS-NPs (80 nm) at different dosages (0, 10, and 40 mg/kg/day) for 60 days, and GC-1 cells were treated with PS-NPs in this study. Enlarged seminiferous tubule lumens and a loose and vacuolated layer of spermatogenic cells were observed in PS-NPs-exposed mice. Spermatogenic cells which may be one of the target cells for this reproductive damage, were decreased in the mice from PS-NPs group. PS-NPs caused spermatogenic cells to undergo senescence, manifested as elevated SA-β-galactosidase activity and activated senescence-related signaling p53-p21/Rb-p16 pathways, and induced cell cycle arrest. Mechanistically, Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment suggested the key role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in PS-NPs-induced spermatogenic cell senescence, and this result was confirmed by measuring ROS levels. Moreover, ROS inhibition partially attenuated the senescence phenotype of spermatogenic cells and DNA damage. Using the male health atlas (MHA) database, Sirt1 was filtrated as the critical molecule in the regulation of testicular senescence. PS-NPs induced overexpression of the main ROS generator Nox2, downregulated Sirt1, increased p53 and acetylated p53 in vivo and in vitro, whereas these disturbances were partially restored by pterostilbene. In addition, pterostilbene intervention significantly alleviated the PS-NPs-induced spermatogenic cell senescence and attenuated ROS burst. Collectively, our study reveals that PS-NPs exposure can trigger spermatogenic cell senescence mediated by p53-p21/Rb-p16 signaling by regulating the Sirt1/ROS axis. Importantly, pterostilbene intervention may be a promising strategy to alleviate this damage.

Regenerating bone in the oral and maxillofacial region is clinically challenging due to the complicated osteogenic environment and the limitation of existing bone graft materials. Constructing bone graft materials with controlled degradation and stable mechanical properties in a physiological environment is of utmost importance. In this study, we used silk fibroin (SF) and polyglycolic acid (PGA) to fabricate a coaxial PGA-SF fibrous scaffold (PGA-SF-FS) to meet demands for bone grafts. The SF shell exerted excellent osteogenic activity while protecting PGA from rapid degradation and the PGA core equipped scaffold with excellent tenacity. The experiments related to biocompatibility and osteogenesis (e.g., cell attachment, proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization) demonstrated the superior ability of PGA-SF-FS to improve cell growth and osteogenic differentiation. Furthermore, in vivo testing using Sprague-Dawley rat cranial defect model showed that PGA-SF-FS accelerates bone regeneration as the implantation time increases, and its stepwise degradation helps to match the remodeling kinetics of the host bone tissue. Besides, immunohistochemical staining of CD31 and Col-1 confirmed the ability of PGA-SF-FS to enhance revascularization and osteogenesis response. Our results suggest that PGA-SF-FS fully utilizing the advantages of both components, exhibites stepwise degradation and superior tenacity in wetting regime, making it a promising candidate in the treatment of bone defects.

The rapid development of the electric vehicle market has greatly stimulated the demand for public charging infrastructure (PCI) and made it a pertinent topic to improve its charging service quality in the industry. Data from perceived preference, PCI and electric vehicles cannot reflect the factors influencing potential users’ anxiety. This study designed a PCI development evaluation framework to investigate the impact of economic, technological, market, policy, and social environmental factors on PCI development from the perspective of potential users. We collected a dataset including 386 potential users in Tianjin, China, and employed structural equation model to survey the implementation of PCI. The following conclusions were drawn from this study: 1) Reducing operating costs will not significantly increase PCI charging user demand and improve use efficiency for potential users; 2) Technical factors cannot directly promote the development of PCI but will reverse lag the development of the market; 3) The growing market demand is the main impetus to the development of electric vehicle industry, and the incentive policy and social environment can indirectly incentivize PCI development. The policy implications suggest that the PCI industry can experience sustainable development by continuously innovating market-oriented business models, and improving policy systems and industry mechanisms. This study provides analytical foundation and decision support for policymakers and pertinent industry participants, promotes the development of electric vehicle-related industries, and helps achieve the strategic goal of carbon neutrality.

Abstract The human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) undergo intense osteogenic differentiation, a crucial bone formation mechanism. Evidence from prior studies suggested an association between long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs. However, precise roles and molecular mechanisms are still largely unknown. In this work, we report for the first time that lncRNA KCNMA1 antisense RNA 1 (KCNMA1-AS1) plays a vital role in regulating hBMSCs’ osteogenic differentiation. Here, it was observed that the KCNMA1-AS1 expression levels were significantly upregulated during osteogenic differentiation. In addition, KCNMA1-AS1 overexpression enhanced in vitro osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs and in vivo bone formation, whereas knockdown of KCNMA1-AS1 resulted in the opposite result. Additionally, the interaction between KCNMA1-AS1 and mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 9 (SMAD9) was confirmed by an RNA pull-down experiment, mass spectrometry, and RIP assay. This interaction regulated the activation of the SMAD9 signaling pathway. Moreover, rescue assays demonstrated that the inhibitor of the SMAD9 signaling pathway reversed the stimulative effects on osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs by KCNMA1-AS1 overexpression. Altogether, our results stipulate that KCNMA1-AS1 promotes osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs via activating the SMAD9 signaling pathway and can serve as a biomarker and therapeutic target in treating bone defects.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the risk factors, metabolic characteristics, and potential biomarkers of mild cognitive impairment in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM-MCI) and to provide potential evidence for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods: A total of 103 patients with T2DM were recruited from the Endocrinology Department of The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University for inclusion in the study. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was utilized to evaluate the cognitive functioning of all patients. Among them, 50 patients were categorized into the T2DM-MCI group (MoCA score < 26 points), while 53 subjects were classified into the T2DM without cognitive impairment (T2DM-NCI) group (MoCA score ≥ 26 points). Serum samples were collected from the subjects, and metabolomics profiling data were generated by Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS). These groups were analyzed to investigate the differences in expression of small molecule metabolites, metabolic pathways, and potential specific biomarkers.Results: Comparison between the T2DM-MCI group and T2DM-NCI group revealed significant differences in years of education, history of insulin application, insulin resistance index, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), and creatinine levels. Further binary logistic regression analysis of the variables indicated that low educational level and low serum IGFBP-3 were independent risk factor for T2DM-MCI. Metabolomics analysis revealed that differential expression of 10 metabolites between the T2DM-MCI group and T2DM-NCI group (p < 0.05 and FDR1.5). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment pathway analysis revealed that fatty acid degradation was the most significant pathway. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis shows that lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) 18:0 exhibited greater diagnostic efficiency.Conclusion: This study revealed that a shorter duration of education and lower serum IGFBP-3 levels are independent risk factors for T2DM-MCI. Serum metabolites were found to be altered in both T2DM-MCI and T2DM-NCI groups. T2DM patients with or without MCI can be distinguished by LPC 18:0. Abnormal lipid metabolism plays a significant role in the development of MCI in T2DM patients.

PHD finger protein 10 (PHF10) plays an important role in the tumorigenesis of gastric cancer (GC). However, clinical significance and underlying molecular mechanisms about PHF10 is unclear. In the article, it suggested that PHF10 involved in tumor progression and metastasis based on the analysis of datasets and 190 cases of tumor tissues in GC. And PHF10 provided the diagnostic value with areas under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.71 ± 0.069. Then we established GC cell lines MKN28 with PHF10 overexpression and SGC7901 with PHF10 knockdown. CCK8 assay and tumor xenograft experiment showed that upregulation of PHF10 could promote MKN28 cell proliferation, while PHF10 knockdown would inhibit the proliferation of SGC7901 in vitro and vivo. Nevertheless, PHF10 could upregulate CD44 mRNA expression by acting on its promoter at the level of transcription. This effect could be associated with BRG, BAF155 and SNF5, which were conserved subunits of switch/sucrose non-fermentable (SWI/SNF) complex. In conclusion, PHF10 targeting CD44 plays an essential part during the modulation of proliferation of GC cell and may offer a new therapeutic direction for GC.

Accurate power consumption assessment is of critical importance in the fast-evolving world of cloud and edge computing. These technologies enable rapid data processing and storage but they also require huge amounts of energy. This energy requirement directly impacts operational costs, as well as environmental responsibility. We are conducting research to develop a specialized cloud-edge power measurement and security model. This model delivers reliable power usage data from these systems while maintaining security for the data they process and store. A combination of simulation-based analysis and real-world experimentation helped us to deliver these results. Monte Carlo based simulations produced power usage predictions under various conditions and Load Testing validated their real-world performance. A Threat Modeling-based security study identified potential vulnerabilities and suggested protection protocols. A collaborative approach enhances power measurements accuracy and encourages secure operation of the combined cloud-edge systems. By fusing these metrics, a more efficient and secure operation of computing resources becomes possible. This research underscores the critical importance of developing advanced techniques for power metering and security in cloud-edge computing systems. Future research may focus on both expanding the model’s use to an array of larger, more complex networks, as well as the inclusion of AI driven predictive analytics to amplify accuracy of power management.

Summary: Background: Lung injury might take place before chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) occurs. A clearer definition of “pre-COPD” based on the effects of potential indicators on increasing risk of COPD development and a prediction model involving them are lacking. Methods: A total of 3526 Chinese residents without COPD aged 40 years or older derived from the national cross-sectional survey of COPD surveillance in 2014–2015 were followed up for a mean of 3.59 years. We examined the associations of chronic bronchitis, preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm), low peak expiratory flow (PEF), spirometric small airway dysfunction (sSAD), low maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF), low forced expiratory flow 50% of pulmonary volume (FEF50), and low FEF75 with subsequent COPD and constructed a prediction model with LASSO-Cox regression. Findings: 235 subjects in the cohort developed COPD during the follow-up. Subjects with PRISm, low PEF, sSAD, low MMEF, low FEF50, and low FEF75 had an increased risk of developing COPD (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] ranging from 1.57 to 3.01). Only chronic bronchitis (HR 2.84 [95% CI 1.38–5.84] and 2.94 [1.43–6.04]) and sSAD/low MMEF (HR 2.74 [2.07–3.61] and 2.38 [1.65–3.43]) showed effects independent of the other indicators and their concurrence had the strongest effect (HR 5.89 and 4.80). The prediction model including age, sex, low MMEF, low FEF50, and indoor exposure to biomass had good performance both internally and temporally. The corrected C-index was 0.77 (0.72–0.81) for discrimination in internal validation. For temporal validation, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.73 (0.63–0.83). Good calibration was indicated in plot for internal validation and by Hosmer–Lemeshow test for temporal validation. Interpretation: Individuals with concurrent chronic bronchitis and sSAD/low MMEF indicating pre-COPD optimally require more high attention from physicians. Our prediction model could serve as a multi-dimension tool to predict COPD comprehensively. Funding: The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. 摘要: 背景: 在慢性阻塞性肺疾病(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD)出现前, 肺损伤可能已经发生。目前尚缺乏依据潜在指标对升高COPD发生风险的影响而产生的更明确的''慢阻肺前期''的定义, 以及包含这些潜在指标的慢阻肺发病预测模型。 方法: 本研究基于2014–2015年中国居民慢阻肺监测横断面调查, 对3526名40岁及以上的非慢阻肺居民进行了平均3.59年的随访；旨在分析慢性支气管炎、保留比值的肺功能损伤 (preserved ratio impaired spirometry, PRISm)、低呼气峰流速 (peak expiratory flow, PEF)、小气道功能障碍 (spirometric small airway dysfunction, sSAD)、低最大呼气中期流速 (maximal mid-expiratory flow, MMEF)、低呼出50%用力肺活量时的最大呼气流速 (forced expiratory flow 50% of pulmonary volume, FEF50)、低FEF75与COPD发生的关系, 并采用LASSO-Cox回归构建预测模型。 结果: 本前瞻性队列中共有235名研究对象在随访期间发展为COPD患者。PRISm、低PEF、sSAD、低MMEF、低FEF50和低FEF75者发生COPD的风险增加(调整后的风险比 [hazard ratio, HR] 在1.57至3.01之间)。只有慢性支气管炎 (HR 2.84 [95% CI 1.38–5.84] 和2.94 [1.43–6.04]) 和sSAD/低MMEF (HR 2.74 [2.07–3.61] 和2.38 [1.65–3.43]) 的效应独立于其他指标, 且慢性支气管炎和sSAD共存或慢性支气管炎和低MMEF共存的效应最强 (HR 5.89和4.80)。本研究构建的预测模型因子包括年龄、性别、低MMEF、低FEF50和室内生物燃料暴露。该模型在内部验证和外部验证中均表现出良好的预测性能。内部验证中该模型的区分度即校正后C-index为0.77 (0.72–0.81)。外部验证中受试者工作特征曲线下面积为0.73 (0.63–0.83)。该模型在内部验证的校准图和外部验证的Hosmer-Lemeshow检验中均显示出良好的校准度。 解读: 慢性支气管炎和sSAD/低MMEF是提示COPD前期的最佳指标, 同时存在这两种表现的个体需引起临床医生的高度重视。本研究构建的预测模型可以作为一个多维度的综合预测COPD的工具。 资助: 中华人民共和国财政部、科学技术部和国家自然科学基金。

Abstract Purpose To investigate the prognosis value of a combined model based on 18F-fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18F-FDG PET-CT) baseline and interim parameters in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Methods We retrospectively analyzed the PET metabolic parameters and clinical data of 154 DLBCL patients between December 2015 and October 2020. All of these patients underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT scan before treatment and after three or four courses of chemotherapy. The optimal cut-off values for quantitative variables were determined by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The baseline and interim PET/CT parameters, which respectively included maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax0), total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV0), standardized total metabolic tumor volume (STMTV0), and the distance between the two furthest lesions (Dmax) and total tumor lesion glycolysis (TTLG1), SUVmax1, TMTV1, and the rate of change of SUVmax (%ΔSUVmax), and clinical characteristics were analyzed by chi-squared test, Kaplan-Meier survival curve, and Cox regression analysis. Results Of 154 patients, 35 exhibited disease progression or recurrence. ROC analysis revealed that baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT metabolic parameters, including maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax0), total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV0), standardized total metabolic tumor volume (STMTV0), and the distance between the two furthest lesions (Dmax), along with interim 18F-FDG PET/CT metabolic parameters such as total tumor lesion glycolysis (TTLG1), SUVmax1, TMTV1, and the rate of change of SUVmax (%ΔSUVmax), were predictive of relapse or progression in DLBCL patients (P

Abstract In 2021, breast cancer accounted for a substantial proportion of cancer cases and represented the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide. Although tumor cells originate from normal cells in the human body, they possess distinct biological characteristics resulting from changes in gene structure and function of cancer cells in contrast with normal cells. These distinguishing features, known as hallmarks of cancer cells, differ from those of normal cells. The hallmarks primarily include high metabolic activity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and resistance to cell death. Current evidence suggests that the fundamental hallmarks of tumor cells affect the tissue structure, function, and metabolism of tumor cells and their internal and external environment. Therefore, these fundamental hallmarks of tumor cells enable tumor cells to proliferate, invade and avoid apoptosis. Modifying these hallmarks of tumor cells represents a new and potentially promising approach to tumor treatment. The key to breast cancer treatment lies in identifying the optimal therapeutic agent with minimal toxicity to normal cells, considering the specific types of tumor cells in patients. Some herbal medicines contain active ingredients which can precisely achieve this purpose. In this review, we introduce Ginsenoside's mechanism and research significance in achieving the therapeutic effect of breast cancer by changing the functional hallmarks of tumor cells, providing a new perspective for the potential application of Ginsenoside as a therapeutic drug for breast cancer.

Abstract Realization of highly tunable second-order nonlinear optical responses, e.g., second-harmonic generation and bulk photovoltaic effect, is critical for developing modern optical and optoelectronic devices. Recently, the van der Waals niobium oxide dihalides are discovered to exhibit unusually large second-harmonic generation. However, the physical origin and possible tunability of nonlinear optical responses in these materials remain to be unclear. In this article, we reveal that the large second-harmonic generation in NbOX 2 (X = Cl, Br, and I) may be partially contributed by the large band nesting effect in different Brillouin zone. Interestingly, the NbOCl2 can exhibit dramatically different strain-dependent bulk photovoltaic effect under different polarized light, originating from the light-polarization-dependent orbital transitions. Importantly, we achieve a reversible ferroelectric-to-antiferroelectric phase transition in NbOCl2 and a reversible ferroelectric-to-paraelectric phase transition in NbOI2 under a certain region of external pressure, accompanied by the greatly tunable nonlinear optical responses but with different microscopic mechanisms. Our study establishes the interesting external-field tunability of NbOX 2 for nonlinear optical device applications.

For the first time, this study presents the complete mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic analysis of Eonemachilus longidorsalis, an endemic species in southwest China. The mitogenome is a circular molecule of 16,569 bp in length with a base composition of 30.2% A, 27.3% T, 16.6% G, and 25.9% C. The phylogenetic analysis based on the complete mitogenomes shows that E. Longidorsalis clusters with Yunnanilus jiuchiensis, Yunnanilus pleurotaenia and Eonemachilus niger. This contribution may provide a valuable framework for completely resolving phylogenetic relationships of the family Nemacheilidae in future research.

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides (MXene) possess attractive conductivity and abundant surface functional groups, providing immense potential in the field of electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption. However, high conductivity and spontaneous aggregation of MXene suffer from limited EMW response. Inspired by dielectric–magnetic synergy effect, the strategy of decorating MXene with magnetic elements is expected to solve this challenge. In this work, zigzag-like Mo2TiC2–MXene nanofibers (Mo-based MXene (Mo–MXene) NFs) with cross-linked networks are fabricated by hydrofluoric acid (HF) etching and potassium hydroxide (KOH) shearing processes. Subsequently, Co-metal–organic framework (MOF) and derived CoNi layered double hydroxide (LDH) ultrathin nanosheets are grown inside Mo–MXene NFs, and the N-doped carbon matrix anchored by CoNi alloy nanoparticles formed by pyrolysis is firmly embedded in the Mo–MXene NFs network. Benefiting from synergistic effect of highly dispersed small CoNi alloy nanoparticles, a three-dimensional (3D) conductive network assembled by zigzag-like Mo–MXene NFs, numerous N-doped hollow carbon vesicles, and abundant dual heterogeneous interface, the designed Mo–MXene/CoNi–NC heterostructure provides robust EMW absorption ability with a reflection loss (RL) value of −68.45 dB at the thickness (d) of 4.38 mm. The robust EMW absorption performance can be attributed to excellent dielectric loss, magnetic loss, impedance matching (Z), and multiple scattering and reflection triggered by the unique 3D network structure. This work puts up great potential in developing advanced MXene-based EMW absorption devices.

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma is the fourth cause of death due to cancer and includes 90% of liver tumors. Therefore, in this study, it was tried to show that Althaea officinalis L. flower extract (ALOF) can protect hepatocytes against N‐diethylnitrosamine (DEN)‐induced hepatocellular carcinoma. Totally, 70 Wistar rats were divided into seven groups (n = 10/group) of sham, DEN, treatment with silymarin (SIL; DEN + SIL), treatment with ALOF (DEN + 250 and 500 ALOF), and cotreatment with SIL and ALOF (DEN + SIL + 250 and 500 ALOF). At the end of the study, the serum levels of liver indices (albumin, total protein, bilirubin, C‐reactive protein, ALT, AST, and ALP), inflammatory cytokines (IL‐6, IL‐1β, IL‐10, and TNF‐α), and oxidants parameters (glutathione peroxidase [GPx], superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT] activity along with nitric oxide [NO] levels) were evaluated. The level of Bax, Bcl‐2, Caspase‐3, p53, PI3K, mTOR, and AKT genes were measured. ALOF in cotreatment with SIL was able to regulate liver biochemical parameters, improve serum antioxidant indices, and decrease the level of proinflammatory cytokines significantly (p

Low-temperature bioleaching is relevant to the recovery of metals in alpine mines, but its development has been constrained by low bioleaching rates at high pulp concentrations. To this end, the bioleaching effect of the microbial community after the domestication of pulp concentration at 6 °C was studied. Domestication improved the bioleaching rate of copper. Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electrochemical measurements revealed that the domestication process aggravated the corrosion of the chalcopyrite surface by accelerating its dissolution reaction. High-throughput sequencing technology indicated that Acidithiobacillus spp., Leptospirillum spp., and Acidiphilium spp. were the major lineages of the domesticated microbial community. The analysis of the microbial community revealed that domestication changed the microbial structure, enhancing the adaptability of the microbial community to pulp concentrations and acidic conditions. This study uncovered the mechanism by which domestication enhanced the bioleaching efficiency of the microbial community at low temperatures.

Bisphenol A (BPA), a typical endocrine disruptor, is known to have various adverse effects on the male reproductive system. However, the toxic effects and mechanisms of low-dose BPA have not yet been fully explored. In this study, male Kunming mice were orally administered low-dose BPA (0.03, 0.3 and 3 mg/kg/d) for ten consecutive weeks. Pathological sections of testicular tissue showed no significant morphological differences after BPA exposure. An analysis of the functional parameters of sperm revealed that exposure to low-dose BPA significantly decreased sperm motility, chemotaxis, and the acrosome reaction. An in vitro BPA exposure model combined with an omics data analysis showed that the olfactory receptor-related pathway was significantly enriched after BPA treatment. Subsequent experiments verified the reduced mRNA level of a novel olfactory receptor gene, Olfr25, in vivo and in vitro exposure models. Meanwhile, exposure to low-dose BPA reduced the intracellular calcium ion concentration and the mRNA levels of pore-forming subunits of the CatSper channel in sperm. Importantly, the knockdown of Olfr25 inhibited calcium ion levels and CatSper subunit expression in GC-2 cells. Olfr25 overexpression attenuated the BPA-induced downregulation of CatSper subunit expression in GC-2 cells. These findings indicate that Olfr25 might participate in low-dose BPA-induced sperm dysfunction by affecting the CatSper-Ca2+ signaling pathway. This study reveals a new mechanism underlying the effects of low-dose BPA on sperm function and provides a reference for assessing the safety of low-dose BPA exposure.

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) represent one of the most promising strategies to generate highly reactive species to deal with organic dye-contaminated water. However, developing green and cost-effective catalysts is still a long-term goal for the wide practical application of AOPs. Herein, we demonstrated doping cobalt in porous carbon to efficiently catalyze the oxidation of the typically persistent organic pollutant rhodamine B, via multiple reactive species through the activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS). The catalysts were prepared by facile pyrolysis of nanocomposites with a core of cobalt-loaded silica and a shell of phenolic resin (Co-C/SiO2). It showed that the produced 1O2 could effectively attack the electron-rich functional groups in rhodamine B, promoting its molecular chain breakage and accelerating its oxidative degradation reaction with reactive oxygen-containing radicals. The optimized Co-C/SiO2 catalyst exhibits impressive catalytic performance, with a degradation rate of rhodamine B up to 96.7% in 14 min and a reaction rate constant (k) as high as 0.2271 min−1, which suggested promising potential for its practical application.

Upland cotton accounts for a high percentage (95%) of the world’s cotton production. Plant height (PH) and branch number (BN) are two important agronomic traits that have an impact on improving the level of cotton mechanical harvesting and cotton yield. In this research, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population with 250 lines developed from the variety CCRI70 was used for constructing a high-density genetic map and identification of quantitative trait locus (QTL). The results showed that the map harbored 8298 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, spanning a total distance of 4876.70 centimorgans (cMs). A total of 69 QTLs for PH (9 stable) and 63 for BN (11 stable) were identified and only one for PH was reported in previous studies. The QTLs for PH and BN harbored 495 and 446 genes, respectively. Combining the annotation information, expression patterns and previous studies of these genes, six genes could be considered as potential candidate genes for PH and BN. The results could be helpful for cotton researchers to better understand the genetic mechanism of PH and BN development, as well as provide valuable genetic resources for cotton breeders to manipulate cotton plant architecture to meet future demands.

During the seedlings culture of sea cucumbers including Holthuria leucospilota, natural microalgae are generally used as ideal food for the pelagic larvae of sea cucumbers, which lead to a strong demand for microalgae production. However, microalgae production is time-consuming and laborious and susceptible to pests and variable whether, and unstable supply of microalgae often results in culture failure of sea cucumber larvae. In this study, we tested the effect of three different diets on the growth, survival rate, and internal microbiota composition of sea cucumbers aiming to develop an artificial diet for H. leucospilota larvae. The results showed that the sea cucumber larvae fed with the mixed artificial diet (composed of Sargassum powder, chilled macroalgae solution, wall-breaking Chlorella powder, and yeast powder) had the most balanced growth rate, highest survival rate, and a higher α-diversity and abundance of Plesiocystis, Haloferula, and Firmicutes in body when they were compared to the larvae fed with the natural bait, Chaetoceros muelleri. However, the abundance of potential pathogenic bacteria, Francisella and Acinetobacter, was higher in the larvae fed with the natural bait. In conclusion, the mixed artificial diet was developed for H. leucospilota larval culture, which can be used as a good alternative to live microalga with cumbersome processes.

The first complete mitochondrial genome of the freshwater goby Rhinogobius davidi was determined by high-throughput sequencing. This genome was 16,627 bp in length and consisted of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 2 non-coding control regions. Phylogenetic analysis based on the amino acid sequences of 13 mitochondrial protein-coding genes from R. davidi and 23 relatives suggested that R. davidi had a close mitogenome relationship with Rhinogobius giurinus. This complete genome of R. davidi will provide basal molecular data for future studies on taxonomy, comparative genomics, and adaptive evolution in Rhinogobius.

We report the complete mitochondrial genome of Rhinogobius lentiginis, which was found to be a circular molecule of 16,633 bp in length and included 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and a non-coding control region. The overall base composition was 28.44% A, 26.21% T, 16.33% G, and 29.02% C. Phylogenetic analyses using maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference methods revealed a close genome relationship among R. lentiginis, R. niger, R. shennongensis and R. maculagenys. The complete mitogenome of R. lentiginis will provide a valuable resource for species classification and conservation.

Here, we sequenced the complete mitogenome of Rhinogobius szechuanensis using the Illumina HiSeq platform and submitted the genome to Genbank with accession number OM617727. Assembly circular mitogenome (16,492 bp) consisted of 54.4% AT content, 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, an origin of light-strand replication, and a control region. Phylogenetic analysis supported that R. szechuanensis was grouped with R. rubromaculatus and clustered with other Rhinogobius species. The basal molecular data will be essential for further genetics studies such as evolution, taxonomy, DNA barcoding, and population genetics of Rhinogobius.

The complete mitochondrial DNA genome of Devario interruptus was sequenced on the Illumina HiSeq platform and found to be 16,735 bp and included 37 genes encoding 13 proteins, 22 tRNAs, two rRNAs, and two non-coding regions. The proportion of nucleotides in mitochondrial genome was T (27.9%), C (23.7%), A (33%), G (15.4%), and the deviation of AT was 60.9%. A Maximum-Likelihood phylogenetic tree was reconstructed using the concatenated mitochondrial protein-coding genes of D. interruptus and other 18 species of fishes. Phylogenetic analysis results supported that D. interruptus was closely related to Devario shanensis. Fundamental genetic data of D. interruptus will be essential for further genetic studies.

The process of superhard particle breakage in the grinding zone of the fluidized bed opposed jet mill is investigated using the CFD-DEM (computational fluid dynamics-discrete element method) coupling method with the Tavares UFRJ Breakage Model in the present study. The effects of structural and operational parameters, such as target plate structure, nozzle position, air inlet velocity, and feed rate, on the equipment stress distribution, airflow velocity, pressure field, particle velocity, and cumulative particle size distribution are thoroughly studied to determine the optimal structural and operational parameters. Experimental validation is conducted, including scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation of particle morphology and analysis of particle size distribution of ground product particles. The simulation results indicate that the wear rate of the structure without a target plate is lower than that of the structure with a target plate in the grinding central zone. Therefore, the structure without a target plate is chosen for further investigation. The cumulative particle size distribution after grinding is influenced by nozzle position, air inlet velocity, and feed rate. The particle D50 is positively correlated with nozzle spacing and feed rate, while it is negatively correlated with air inlet velocity. The optimal grinding effect is achieved when the distance between the nozzle and the center of the grinding zone ranges from 52.5 mm to 72.55 mm, the air inlet velocity is 950 m/s, and the feed rate is 10.5 g/s. Through experimental investigation, it has been observed that when the feed rate is 10 g/s, the particle size distribution becomes more uniform. Furthermore, consistent trends in the cumulative particle size distribution in the experiment and simulation results can be found, which validates the present numerical model. It was observed that particles at low feed rates retain certain angular edges, while particle roundness increases at high feed rates.

In Hilbert space, the geometry of the quantum state is identified by the quantum geometric tensor (QGT), whose imaginary part is the Berry curvature and whose real part is the quantum metric tensor. Here, we experimentally realize a complete Bloch-state tomography to directly measure the eigenfunction of an optical Raman lattice for ultracold atoms. Through the measured eigenfunction, the distribution of the complete QGT in the Brillouin zone is reconstructed, with which the topological invariants are extracted by the Berry curvature and the distances of quantum states in momentum space are measured by the quantum metric tensor. Furthermore, we experimentally test a predicted inequality between the Berry curvature and the quantum metric tensor, which reveals a deep connection between the topology and geometry.

18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT imaging is increasingly used for the diagnosis, staging, and efficacy assessment of patients with prostate cancer. Compared with other PSMA tracers, 18F-PSMA-1007 is mainly cleared by the liver and bile and has lower urinary clearance, thus allowing a better assessment of the lesions around the bladder. However, there were some patients who showed an obvious concentration of the 18F-PSMA-1007 in the bladder, which may affect the observation of peripheral lesions, but the mechanism of this change is unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the cause of bladder 18F-PSMA-1007 concentration by assessing the clinical and imaging characteristics of 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT scans. A total of 284 patients were included in this retrospective study, and their clinical characteristics such as age, height, weight, Gleason score, metastases, different treatment methods, the level of liver and kidney function, PSA level, and imaging characteristics such as 18F-PSMA-1007 injected activity, the interval between injection to scan, physiological distribution (parotid gland, kidney, liver, spleen, intestine, obturator internus), pathological distribution (prostate lesions, metastases) were collected, and were compared after subgrouping using bladder urine SUVmax. This study showed that the distribution of bladder 18F-PSMA-1007 was not correlated with the above clinical and imaging characteristics, so further studies are needed to find the explanations, and thus to improve the disease assessment of this type of prostate cancer patients.

IntroductionUpland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) is the main source of natural fiber in the global textile industry, and thus its fiber quality and yield are important parameters. In this study, comparative transcriptomics was used to analyze differentially expressed genes (DEGs) due to its ability to effectively screen candidate genes during the developmental stages of cotton fiber. However, research using this method is limited, particularly on fiber development. The aim of this study was to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying the whole period of fiber development and the differences in transcriptional levels.MethodsComparative transcriptomes are used to analyze transcriptome data and to screen for differentially expressed genes. STEM and WGCNA were used to screen for key genes involved in fiber development. qRT-PCR was performed to verify gene expression of selected DEGs and hub genes.ResultsTwo accessions of upland cotton with extreme phenotypic differences, namely EZ60 and ZR014121, were used to carry out RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) on fiber samples from different fiber development stages. The results identified 704, 376, 141, 269, 761, and 586 genes that were upregulated, and 1,052, 476, 355, 259, 702, and 847 genes that were downregulated at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 days post anthesis, respectively. Similar expression patterns of DEGs were monitored using short time-series expression miner (STEM) analysis, and associated pathways of DEGs within profiles were investigated. In addition, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified five key modules in fiber development and screened 20 hub genes involved in the development of fibers.DiscussionThrough the annotation of the genes, it was found that the excessive expression of resistance-related genes in the early fiber development stages affects the fiber yield, whereas the sustained expression of cell elongation-related genes is critical for long fibers. This study provides new information that can be used to improve fibers in newly developed upland cotton genotypes.

Abstract Tough hydrogel has attracted considerable interest in various fields, however, due to poor biocompatibility, nondegradation, and pronounced compositional differences from natural tissues, it is difficult to be used for tissue regeneration. Here, a gelatin‐based tough hydrogel (GBTH) is proposed to fill this gap. Inspired by human exercise to improve muscle strength, the synergistic effect is utilized to generate highly functional crystalline domains for resisting crack propagation. The GBTH exhibits excellent tensile strength of 6.67 MPa (145‐fold that after untreated gelation). Furthermore, it is directly sutured to a ruptured tendon of adult rabbits due to its pronounced toughness and biocompatibility, self‐degradability in vivo, and similarity to natural tissue components. Ruptured tendons can compensate for mechanotransduction by GBTH and stimulate tendon differentiation to quickly return to the initial state, that is, within eight weeks. This strategy provides a new avenue for preparation of highly biocompatible tough hydrogel for tissue regeneration.

To date, studies on apoptosis in echinoderms mainly focus on the caspase-dependent extrinsic apoptotic pathway, while knowledges regarding the intrinsic apoptotic pathway is still limited. In this study, 55 genes belong to 7 families of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, namely, Bcl-2, caspase, AIF, Cyt c, Apaf-1, Smac, HTRA2 and Endo G, were identified by screening of the genomic database of the tropical sea cucumber Holothuria leucospilota. The Bcl-2 family showed significant gene expansion in H. leucospilota but not in other echinoderms, while the pro-apoptotic factor Endo G is generally lost in echinoderms. Transcriptomic data showed that the genes of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway were ubiquitously expressed in all tissues, and all embryonic and larval developmental stages of H. leucospilota. The gene numbers and functional domains of the caspase family and AIF family were further clarified and showed conserved with their counterparts in vertebrates. In primary coelomocytes, the transcript expression of different caspases showed different responses to pathogenic challenges of vibrio and pathogen-associated molecular patterns, and environmental challenges of heave metal and reactive oxygen species. Overall, this study indicates that the intrinsic apoptotic pathway is conserved between vertebrates and echinoderms by using the sea cucumber H. leucospilota as a model. This study may contribute in increasing the knowledge of development and innate immunity in ancestral deuterostomia species.

In this paper, we first report the complete mtDNA sequence of Opsarius caudiocellatus with the main aim of providing a basis for further researches of this species. Assembly circular mitogenome was 16,534 bp long encoded 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and one control region. The gene nucleotide composition was estimated to be 28.1% A, 25.2% T, 18.6% G, 28.1% C. A maximum-likelihood (ML) phylogenetic tree was reconstructed using the 13 concatenated mitochondrial protein-coding genes of O. caudiocellatus and other 19 species of the subfamily Chedrinae. Result of the phylogenetic analysis revealed that O. caudiocellatus was well grouped with Barilius barila. This study could enrich genetic resources and be helpful to studies on evolution and conservation genetics for O. caudiocellatus.

Abstract Background We aimed to determine the performance of 18 F-FAPI PET/CT used for preprocedural assessment of glioblastoma before radiotherapy. Methods Twelve glioblastoma patients having undergone incomplete surgical resection or biopsy were examined with 18 F-FAPI PET/CT and MRI scanning before radiotherapy. All patients had confirmed tumor residues according to findings of histopathological and/or long-term clinical and radiological follow-ups. Lesion characterization data, including SUVmax and tumor-to-background ratio (TBR) on PET/CT were attained. PET/CT and MRI findings were compared in terms of number of lesions. The correlation between immunohistochemistry, molecular expression, and PET/CT parameters was also evaluated. Results 18 F-FAPI PET/CT detected 16 FAPI-avid out of 23 lesions in 12 patients described on MRI. MRI was statistically different from 18 F-FAPI PET/CT for lesion detection according to the exact McNemar statistical test (P = 0.0156). The SUVmax and TBR of the glioblastomas was 7.08 ± 3.55 and 19.95 ± 13.22, respectively. The sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of 18 F-FAPI PET were 69.6% and 100%, respectively. Neither the Ki-67 index nor the molecular expression was correlated with the FAPI-PET/CT parameters. Conclusion 18 F-FAPI PET/CT detects glioblastomas at a lower rate than MRI. However, the 100% PPV of the examination may make it useful for differentiating controversial lesions detected on MRI. The 18 F-FAPI-avid lesions are displayed more clearly probably due to a higher TBR. 18 F-FAPI PET/CT imaging might find application in glioblastoma biopsy and radiotherapy planning.

Deep clustering uses neural networks to learn the low-dimensional feature representations suitable for clustering tasks. Numerous studies have shown that learning embedded features and defining the clustering loss properly contribute to better performance. However, most of the existing studies focus on the deep local features and ignore the global spatial characteristics of the original data space. To address this issue, this paper proposes deep self-supervised clustering with embedding adjacent graph features (DSSC-EAGF). The significance of our efforts is three-fold: 1) To obtain the deep representation of the potential global spatial structure, a dedicated adjacent graph matrix is designed and used to train the autoencoder in the original data space; 2) In the deep encoding feature space, the KNN algorithm is used to obtain the virtual clusters for devising a self-supervised learning loss. Then, the reconstruction loss, clustering loss, and self-supervised loss are integrated, and a novel overall loss measurement is proposed for DSSC-EAGF. 3) An inverse-Y-shaped network model is designed to well learn the features of both the local and the global structures of the original data, which greatly improves the clustering performance. The experimental studies prove the superiority of the proposed DSSC-EAGF against a few state-of-the-art deep clustering methods.

Cyprinid fish Barilius barila found in the Irrawaddy water system is a valuable fishery resource and has been listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. This study determined the complete mitochondrial genome of B. barila from Yunnan, China, for the first time. Circular molecule of B. barila mitogenome was sequenced to be 16,560 bp in length, with the typical gene structure of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and two noncoding areas (control region and the origin of L-strand replication). Overall nucleotides composition appeared to be 27.5% A, 24.8% T, 19.2% G, and 28.6% C, with a slight AT (52.3%) bias. The topology of the phylogenetic tree showed that B. barila was well grouped with Opsarius caudiocellatus, and clustered together with the genus Opsarius instead of Barilius, revealing that it was more reasonable for Barilius barila to belong to Opsarius rather than Barilius.

China is rich in abundant lithium resources characterized by considerable reserves and a concentrated distribution of metallogenic zones or belts, with proven reserves of 4046.8×103 t (calculated based on Li2O) by 2021. China is also a big consumer of lithium. By 2019, China ’s lithium consumption in the battery sector alone had reached 99×103 t, with an average annual growth rate of nearly 26%. China has become the world ’s largest importer of lithium resources, showing a severely unbalanced relationship between supply and demand for lithium resources. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the prospecting, exploitation, and study of lithium resources in China. This study collected, organized, and summarized the data on the major lithium deposits in China, analyzed and compared the spatial-temporal distribution patterns, geological characteristics, and metallogenic regularity of these lithium deposits, and summarized the prospecting and research achievements over the last decade. The major lithium deposits in China are distributed in provinces and regions such as Qinghai, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Tibet, and Xinjiang. These deposits are mostly small in scale. According to different genetic types, this study divided lithium deposits into granitic pegmatite type, granite type, saline lake brine type, underground brine type, and sedimentary type, as well as new types including hot spring type and magmatic-hydrothermal type, and summarized the characteristics and key metallogenic factors of these different types of deposits. Sixteen metallogenic prospect areas of lithium deposits were delineated according to the deposit types and the distribution patterns of metallogenic belts. The paper introduced the research progress in major metallogenic models and lithium extraction techniques made over the past decade. Based on the comprehensive analysis of the prospecting potential of lithium deposits, the authors concluded that the future prospecting of lithium resources in China should focus on lithium metallogenic belts, the deep and peripheral areas of currently determined large-scale pegmatite-type lithium deposits, geophysical-geochemical anomalous areas with mineralization clues, and areas with developed large-scale low-grade associated granite-type and sedimentary lithium resources. The study aims to serve as a guide for the future prospecting of lithium deposits in China.©2022 China Geology Editorial Office.

This study sequenced and annotated the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Rhinogobius filamentosus, an endemic species in China. The complete mitochondrial genome was 16,510 base pairs long and contained 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs, 11,414 bp), 22 tRNA genes (1,555 bp), two rRNA genes (2,615 bp), two non-coding regions (D-loop: control region displacement loop, 478 bp; OL: origin of L-strand replication, 30 bp). The overall base composition of the genome was estimated to be T (25.4%), C (30.2%), A (27.6%) and G (16.7%), showing an AT bias (53%). Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the genus Rhinogobius included two clades. For one clade, R. filamentosus clustered with R. duospilus, and they formed a sister-group relationship with other ten Rhinogobius species. This work would be essential in revealing the evolutionary relationships in Gobionellinae.

Both tunable perfect absorber and multifunctional logic device can be accomplished by a novel graphene metamaterial in this paper. The metamaterial utilizes gold as a substrate, covering with a graphene flake and a graphene double-strip-array on dielectric layers. First, the perfect absorption above 99.99% in the terahertz range is achieved depends on the coupling between the two graphene layers. In addition, the tunability is based on the correlation between the conductivity and the Fermi level of graphene. As the Fermi level changes, the absorption peak of the absorber will shift, thus the tunable perfect absorber is accomplished. On this basis, the input Boolean values of the logic function are defined by the Fermi levels of graphene. The output Booleans are distinguished by monitoring the reflections and comparing them with the thresholds. Finally, the multifunctional logic device have been successfully implemented in the terahertz domain. At different frequencies, the logic gates of OR, XNOR and NAND can be realized concurrently. And the NOT logic gate can be obtained synchronously at multiple frequencies. Furthermore, the operational frequencies of the aforementioned four logic functions can be tuned by varying the other Fermi level of graphene. The maximum extinction ratios of OR, XNOR, NAND, and NOT are 13.02 dB, 26.3 dB, 12.06 dB, and 26.3 dB, respectively. This multifunctional metamaterial has potential applications in terahertz optical communication due to its straightforward structure and multiple functions.

Abstract Objectives To investigate the diagnostic value of accessible fingertip mean corpuscular volume (MCV) combined with a visible “beefy red” patch in the diagnosis of vitamin B12 (VB12) deficiency in local clinics and hospitals without in-house clinical laboratories, especially in remote areas. Materials and methods The medical history data of patients complaining of oral mucosal pain at the Stomatological Hospital of Southern Medical University were reviewed. All included patients underwent fingertip blood routine examination, specific serological test (serum VB12, folic acid, iron, and ferritin), and detailed oral clinical examinations. According to the results of the serum VB12 test patients were divided into case and control groups. In diagnostic test, the diagnostic value of the “beefy red” patch and elevated MCV in VB12 deficiency was evaluated by the receiver operator characteristic curve. Results There were more female patients than male patients in the case group (serum VB12 level 100fL” and “folic acid 100 fL” has high specificity (0.933) but low specificity (0.815), and “MCV > 100 fL combined with beefy red patch” has maximal specificity (0.950), and area under the curve (0.949). Conclusions Visible oral “beefy red” patch combined with accessible fingertip blood MCV could improve the rate of diagnosis in VB12 deficiency, especially in the elderly in local clinics and hospitals without in-house clinical laboratories in China, which is conducive to early disease detection and treatment.

Abstract Background Liposuction has become one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in China. However, few studies have discussed infectious shock caused by C. perfringens as one of the causes of death after liposuction. Case presentation A 24-year-old woman was brought to the emergency department (ED) of Guangzhou Chinese Overseas Hospital for treatment. The patient had undergone liposuction in her bilateral lower limbs two days prior. At the ED, the patient was unconscious, and had bilateral equal-sized (diameter, 6 mm) round pupils, no light reflex, a blood pressure (BP) of 71/33 mmHg, a heart rate of 133 bpm, and an SpO2 of 70%. She had bilateral limb swelling, extensive ecchymoses in her lower abdomen and bilateral thighs, local crepitus, blisters, weak pulses on her femoral artery and dorsalis pedis, high skin tension, and hemoglobin of 32 g/L. The patient was diagnosed with Clostridium perfringens infection, and she underwent debridement surgery and supportive treatment. But the patient’s BP could not improve. At 8:28 pm on the day of admission, the patient was declared clinically dead after the electrocardiograph showed a horizontal line and spontaneous respiration ceased. Conclusions Failure to meet surgical disinfection and environmental standards may be the cause of infection of C. perfringens through wounds. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the environmental disinfection of the operating room, and standardize the sterile conditions of the operation staff and patients before and during operation. Liposuction surgery necrotizing fasciitis is a rare but fatal complications, especially if diagnosis delay, therefore it is critical for early diagnosis and treatment of gas gangrene.

Abiotic stresses such as salinity and low temperature have serious impact on peanut growth and yield. The present work investigated the function of a MYB-related transcription factor gene AhMYB30 obtained from peanut under salt and low temperature stresses by transgenic methods. The results indicated that the overexpression of AhMYB30 in Arabidopsis could enhance the resistance of transgenic plants to freezing and salt stresses. The expression of stress-response genes RD29A (Response-to-Dehydration 29A), COR15A (Cold-Regulated 15A), KIN1 (Kinesin 1) and ABI2 (Abscisic acid Insensitive 2) increased in transgenic plants compared with in wild-type. Subcellular localization and transcriptional autoactivation validation demonstrated that AhMYB30 has essential features of transcription factors. Therefore, AhMYB30 may increase salt and freezing stress tolerance as the transcription factor (TF) in Arabidopsis through both DREB/CBF and ABA-signaling pathways. Our results lay the theoretical foundation for exploring stress resistance mechanisms of peanut and offering novel genetic resources for molecular breeding.

Complete mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic analysis of Devario kakhienensis, endemic minnow from southwest China, for the first time was presented. It was determined to be a 16,777 bp long circular molecule and the genome organization was consistent with that of Danioninae species published previously. Based on PCGs, the maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis supported the close genetic relationship between D. kakhienensis and Devario interruptus. These data would contribute toward the genetic resource enrichment, and provide a valuable framework for future research in completely resolving phylogenetic relationships with the family Danionidae.

Abstract Background Radiation-induced lung fibrosis (RILF) is a common complication of thoracic radiotherapy. Alveolar epithelial cells play a crucial role in lung fibrosis via epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells own the beneficial properties to repair and regeneration of damaged tissues, however the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Methods Mouse mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes (mMSCs-Exo) were isolated by differential centrifugation, and their protective effects were assessed in vivo and in vitro, respectively. EMT-associated proteins were measured via western blot assay and/or immunofluorescence staining. The miRNA expression was measured by microarray assay and qPCR. Furthermore, bioinformatics prediction with KEGG analysis, luciferase assay, and rescue experiments were performed to explore the molecular mechanism underlying miR-466f-3p. Results mMSCs-Exos were efficiently isolated ranging from 90-150 nm with high expression of exosomal markers (CD63, TSG101, and CD9). mMSCs-Exos administration efficiently relieved radiation-induced lung injury with less collagen deposition and lower levels of IL-1β and IL-6. Meanwhile, in vitro results showed mMSCs-Exos treatment obviously reversed EMT process induced by radiation. Among enriched miRNA cargo in exosomes, miR-466f-3p was primarily responsible for the protective effects via inhibition of AKT/GSK3β pathway. Our mechanistic study further demonstrated that c-MET was the direct target of miR-466f-3p, whose restoration partially abrogated mMSCs-Exo-mediated inhibition in both EMT process and AKT/GSK3β signaling activity induced by radiation. Conclusions Our findings indicated that exosomal miR-466f-3p derived from mMSCs may possess anti-fibrotic properties and prevent radiation-induced EMT through inhibition of AKT/GSK3β via c-MET, providing a promising therapeutic modality for radiation-induced lung fibrosis.